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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I can't stop rewatching this dark comedy show from the 2000s on Prime Video – here's why it's still worth streaming
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Some TV shows are like comfort food, and for me, there's no show more comforting than Peep Show. The British sitcom from the early 2000s has been my go-to whenever I don't know what to watch for quite some time now, and for good reasons. For the uninitiated, Peep Show follows the miseries of self-doubting, uptight loan manager called Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell), who rents a room in his South London flat to Jeremy Usbourne (Robert Webb), aka Jez, an overconfident and impulsive musician. Together, they stumble, blindly through day-to-day life, usually ending up in a desperate situation of their own making. There's something weirdly cozy about watching two awkward flatmates spiral through life's small humiliations, especially when their internal monologues are so brutally honest – and endlessly quotable. I'm not ashamed to admit that I often find myself referencing memorable lines from the series. Don't believe me? Given that I'm writing about a TV show, I can't help but think about a fitting scene from one of my favorite episodes of the entire series, 'Seasonal Beatings' (episode 5 of season 7), where Mark is discussing what to watch next: "We watched all the Losts and they were… somewhat okay, and Heroes had some interesting themes, but also quite a lot of… not so interesting themes. And Prison Break, by the end I very much wanted to break out of the prison that Prison Break had become for us." Unlike many other shows, Peep Show isn't just "somewhat okay". It does have interesting themes and I never want to break out of my habit of streaming it on repeat. Whether you're discovering it for the first time on one of the best streaming services or rewatching it for the umpteenth time like me, Peep Show remains one of the most unique and rewarding comedies out there. Why you should (still) watch Peep Show The series features some of the best side characters you'll ever meet. From Jez's 'moreish' bandmate Super Hans (Matt King) and Mark's ruthless boss Alan Johnson (Paterson Joseph) to Mark's love interests Sophie (Olivia Coleman) and Dobby (Isy Suttie), the supporting cast are every bit as quirky and engaging as the two leads. Peep Show's cringe humor often sees the show get compared to another well-loved sitcom you might have heard of: The Office. But while both shows are filled with awkward silences and cringe-inducing lead characters, Peep Show is in a class of its own. Its humor is more polished (yes, there are moments of chaos but it doesn't turn slapstick), its underlining themes are much darker (in one episode it goes to the 'heart of darkness') and its characters are far more deluded (the show really doesn't hold back on just how much so at times). But at the same time, it's not doing any of this in a pretentious way. Indeed, there's no gloss here. The flats are grim, the jobs are soul-crushing (although one character does get close to the 'big three': 'museum, lunch and a snooze'), and the dreams are small. But that's what makes the show so easy to watch, because it doesn't pretend to be anything grand. The secondhand embarrassment you feel from the comedy is all amplified by the shaky point-of-view (POV) filming that the show is known for. There's nowhere for the viewer to hide. You see everything up close, making you feel like you're inside the lead characters' heads. While the filming style is unique, it can also take some getting used to. The first season was very much still finding its (rainbow) rhythm with the POV camerawork, and mounted head cameras to the actors to produce the effect – the quality of the footage these cameras produced was quite low, which is why they're used less later in the series. Basically, don't skip the first season because you're put off by the video quality; stick with it, because you'll be rewarded with some of the best gags in the series, including one that makes a reappearance in season 5, which you wouldn't otherwise get if you skipped it. What also makes it such a comforting TV show to stream is that the episodes are short, usually just under 30 minutes, but a lot still happens throughout. Peep Show is the perfect series for short sittings when you need something light to watch because you can easily tune in and out of it. So what are you waiting for? Pour yourself a massive drink. Turn on the TV and crack open this exceptionally funny show that deserves your attention immediately. Merry Peep Show watching everyone! Peep Show is available to watch on Prime Video, Hulu and BritBox in the US, as well as some of the best free streaming services, including Pluto TV, Plex and The Roku Channel. Meanwhile, those in the UK can find it on Netflix, while Australians can stream it on Prime Video, BritBox and Stan. You might also like Prime Video's new #1 show is a perfect summer binge watch Doctor Who is my #1 Disney+ recommendation 7 of the best #1 Netflix TV shows actually worth streaming Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The 20 best TV comedy sketches of all time
They don't make them like they used to. In fact, they barely make them at all. Sketch shows are a dying TV breed. Shrinking production budgets – sketch shows require multiple sets, costumes and filming techniques – plus the pressure for instant success means the genre has lost its appeal for broadcasting commissioners. It has largely been replaced on our screens by panel shows, stand-up showcases and scripted 'sadcoms'. However, there are rays of hope. In February, Channel 4 announced they were bringing the format back, helmed by David Mitchell and Robert Webb, while American institution Saturday Night Live recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is soon launching a British version. Sketch comedy is also thriving online, where a new generation of mirth-makers are skipping the old-fashioned live route and uploading their bite-sized skits directly to YouTube or TikTok. And so we've decided to celebrate the art form by selecting and ranking the all-time top 20. How we chose the 20 best TV sketches Spanning more than half a century, our selection embraces old and new, streaming and terrestrial, from both sides of the Atlantic. We tried to limit ourselves to one sketch per programme but in a couple of cases, laughter-lightning struck twice. As for those that just missed the cut? Well, a number of double acts from recent decades – Fry and Laurie, Armstrong and Miller, Mitchell and Webb, and Reeves and Mortimer – narrowly failed to make the grade. Also unlucky to miss out were the likes of Little Britain, Kenny Everett, Catherine Tate, Horrible Histories, Who Dares Wins and The Mary Whitehouse Experience. If it had been a top 30, all these would have likely appeared. Enough about the ones that didn't make it. What about those that did? Here's our countdown of TV's 20 best comedy sketches ever. Let us know if you agree, disagree or are downright furious that your favourites were omitted. After all, comedy is a serious business… 20. Alan Partridge at the Races (The Day Today, 1994)
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Unassuming tower block was seen by millions on beloved noughties sitcom – but do YOU recognise it now?
THIS seemingly plain tower block appeared in a hit noughties sitcom - but could you recognise it now? The flats featured in a much-loved British TV show, although it might look a little different to how you remember it. 8 8 Zodiac House, located in London, Croydon, has been fully refurbished into 73 homes. They have been taken on by the local authority and are set to be used as temporary accommodation for those facing homelessness. But one of the flats was once home to Mark and Jeremy, in Peep Show. The duo, played by David Mitchell and Robert Webb, are remembered for their chaotic shenanigans inside the London property, alongside Matt King or 'Super Hans'. New tenants could retrace Jez and Mark's steps through the two-bedroom home and share conversations in the living room while overlooking "majestic views". One flat hit the market last year, and it boasted an integrated, modern kitchen - a step up from the iconic dingy blue one the Peep Show roommates burnt toast in. The family bathroom was similarly been renovated and a long way from the bathtub Jeremy found himself sleeping in many times. The listing, posted by estate agents Black + Blanc, Bromley on Rightmove read: "This an excellent opportunity to purchase a recently fully refurbished and renovated two-bedroom apartment in the iconic Zodiac Court. "The property is an ideal purchase for an individual looking to get onto the property ladder as a first time buyer or a buy to let investor looking to obtain an attractive rental yield." "The owners have been able to refurbish and polish the original parquet flooring, which adds to the character of the property. "The décor is light and airy and will allow a buyer to use their imagination to put their stamp on it." Measuring 792 square feet, the property has two generously sized bedrooms with ample storage in the master and integrated storage in the second. "The apartment is installed with central gas heating, and each room has large gas central heating radiators. "The apartment is integrated with double-glazed windows," the listing added. It was on offer for £300,000 and properties in Croydon had an overall average price of £438,561 over the last year according to Rightmove. 8 8 8 Now, the council have since snapped up Zodiac House as part of their initiative to combat homelessness. The flats will provide a safe space for those waiting for long-term housing. It will also see Croydon Council hit its targets for Homelessness Duty under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. There's a mix of two and three-bedroom flats, like the one described above, available. They will all come furnished with the essentials, and there's a 24-hour concierge. Funds are being sourced from the Right to Buy scheme, Local Authority Housing Grants, and borrowing. Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: 'This is another step in addressing the significant homelessness challenges we face. "The increased demand for services and shortage of accommodation means we have to look at doing things differently, and the purchase of Zodiac House is a good example of this. 'The scheme will give us 73 residential units to support residents facing homelessness. "This will improve the Council's supply of accommodation and reduce spending on expensive temporary arrangements, as well as providing safe and secure homes for our residents.' This comes as the house that featured in a hugely popular BBC sitcom from the 90s has gone on the market with a £330,000 price tag – but can you name the show? As a clue, the main character's catchphrase was 'I don't believe it.' The property seen in the classic British comedy One Foot in the Grave was the home of the perpetually grumpy character Victor Meldrew and it could be yours for £337,500. The exterior of the terraced property in Christchurch, Dorset, featured heavily in the 1990s show. Meanwhile, Rightmove has revealed the most viewed homes so far in 2025 - including a £59 million townhouse, and an 'historic gem'. The popular property site has something for everyone, whether you're looking for your next home, or simply want to have a bit of a snoop. 8 8 8
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Popular sitcom star is almost unrecognisable behind tinted shades and baseball cap in new selfie 10 years after fan-favourite comedy show ended - can you guess who he is?
He won legions of fans with his role in a beloved Channel 4 sitcom, that aired for nine series and has since become a cult classic. But the actor, 57, looked a far cry from his wild and drug-addicted character as he shared a beaming new snap to Instagram at the weekend. Hiding his famous face behind a baseball cap and a pair of orange tinted aviators, the comedian smiled for the camera and wished a good day to his fans. Captioning the snap, he wrote: 'What a beautiful afternoon. Hope you're all having lovely days. Maybe see you out in Brighton tonight yeah?' The photo comes a decade after his popular comedy series came to an end in 2015. But can you guess who he is? It's Peep Show star Matt King! He famously played Super Hans in the show created by Andrew O'Connor, Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, opposite comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb. It followed the lives of the horrifyingly relatable flatmates Mark and Jez, played by David and Robert, using a unique point-of-view filming style. The two friends are two polar opposite friends who met at the fictional Dartmouth University and went on to live in Mark's flat, in the made-up Zodiac House in South London. Mark owns the flat and frequently references Jeremy's resistance to playing rent and his abuse of the home, thanks to his love of weed and reluctance to work. Super Hans was a fan-favourite character, known for his hilariously wacky and drug-addled one-liners and destructive behaviour. Before landing the part, Matt worked as a chef in Australia, where he met comedian Jimeoin McKeown, who encouraged him to become a stand-up. After 15 years of working as a comic, he was discovered by the Peep Show creators at Edinburgh Fringe, who deemed him perfect for the role of Super Hans. Though back in 2018, it was previously revealed by creator Sam that the part was originally written with Danny Dyer in mind. The role shot Matt into fame, with him going on to land roles in Skins, Doctor Who, Spirited, Paddington and The End of the F***ing World, and writing his own sitcom starring Alan Davies, Whites. In 2019, he also starred in Sam Fender's music video for his single Saturday, showing him doing an interpretative dance routine. But despite being most recognised for his work on Peep Show, Matt revealed he often doesn't remember many of his famous lines, that fans like to reference to him. In 2023, he shocked followers when he took to Twitter to confess he had never watched the critically acclaimed show. He wrote: 'Yes, sometimes I do forget things Hans said in Peep Show. Because I've never sat down and watched an episode. Ever. 'Mainly cos I hate watching myself. So some of the very funny things I said TWENTY f***ing years ago, may on occasion, slip my mind.' Poking fun at Super Hans' famous line: 'I'll tell you what, that crack is really more-ish' he added the hashtag: '#thiscrackisreallyaddictive'. The role shot Matt into fame, with him going on to land roles in Skins, Doctor Who, Spirited, Paddington and The End of the F***ing World, and writing his own sitcom starring Alan Davies, Whites (pictured in Time Bandits last year with Lisa Kudrow) But despite being most recognised for his work on Peep Show, Matt revealed he doesn't remember many of his famous lines as he had never watched the critically acclaimed show However, last year Matt joking revealed what it would take to film a Peep Show reunion, after fans called for the cast to get back together in response to a viral meme following Noel and Liam Gallagher announcing Oasis' reunion tour. Matt reshared the photo of the brothers alongside one of him with David and Robert which had the caption: 'The reunion we got versus the reunion we wanted.' He wrote: 'My mate just sent me this from Australia. I hate memes but this one made me smile. And seriously, I reckon Dave, Rob and myself would consider doing it if we got to split £80 million quid.' Matt then went on to reference the huge backlash Oasis faced as ticket prices shot up due to 'high demand', leading to calls for so-called 'dynamic pricing' for shows to be banned. He added: 'But then again, I wouldn't stitch up my own fans like that. Swings and roundabouts. MK'. Fans commented on Matt's post, urging him to initiate plans for a Peep Show reunion. They wrote: 'Just a Christmas special though to wet this whistle?' and 'I'd pay dynamic prices for the Ed Dude brothers and Super Hans.' 'We need this reunion, on a massive scale, just to obliterate Coldplay.' He reshared the meme and went on to reference the huge backlash Oasis faced over the dynamic pricing on tickets 'Peep show but they have kids and crippling debt' and 'Don't tease us like this. It's the reunion we all want but probably don't deserve.' Since the show came off air, David and Robert, who met at Cambridge in 1993, have gone on to enjoy life as a double act, while the latter was hit with health woes just before his Strictly Come Dancing stint in 2021 - which ended in an early departure. Fellow stars have enjoyed equally prosperous fortunes since its conclusion, most notably Sophie Chapman actress Olivia Colman, who went on to win an Oscar in 2019. Another headline hitter comes in Sophie Winkleman, who played Big Suze and is now a member of the Royal family.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Peep Show fans open-mouthed as video reveals state of sitcom's iconic flat now - gasping 'this is outrageous!'
Peep Show fans were shocked as a video revealed the condition of a flat inside the same building the iconic sitcom was filmed in. The comedy series which was broadcast on Channel 4 from 2003 - 2015 focused on the lives of Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usborne, played by double act David Mitchell and Robert Webb respectively, in their flat in London. In real life, the home of the fictional housemates is in a tower block called Zodiac House in Croydon, London - although it underwent a rebrand for the series and was called Apollo House. A video on TikTok appeared to show a brief tour of a flat located in the apartment block, though it looks very different to what fans witnessed on the beloved show. Captioned with 'Mark & Jez' Flat in 2025,' the clip first shows the exterior of the building, located in Croydon. The camera then pans to reveal a corridor in the property and shows an empty cupboard with the words, 'no more orac,' followed with a crying emoji over the video. In the show, eccentric Mark calls his boiler 'Orac' as a continuous joke that features throughout the series. The boiler is located in an indent in the wall in the hallway, as shown in the TikTok clip. The video then moves into another room, which appears to have a cluttered carpet and boxes and other items stacked near a window. Captioned with 'Jez coded decoration,' the video refers to Jeremy who was portrayed as immature and laid back. Another part of the clip revealed a living room area with a large window, scattered dining chairs and rubbish on the floor. The poster commented 'Creamy elephant gone,' which was what Jeremy named the cream, leather living room sofa. Moving into the kitchen, which appeared to feature missing tiles and broken cupboard doors, the caption 'NO TURKEY?!' played over the clip. 'Where's the turkey Jeremy?' Mark asked as he began to cook Christmas dinner during an episode. 'What?' Jeremy replied. 'The turkey, where's the turkey?' Mark persisted, to which Jeremy responded, 'I thought you were getting the turkey?' 'You what,' Mark exclaimed. 'No turkey! You f****** idiot, Jeremy! You total f****** idiot! That was your job!' He continued to shout at Jeremy who stood stone-faced and bluntly said: 'It was a joke Mark, I was joking. It was a Christmas joke. Of course I've got a turkey, it was an organic turkey. I spent ages researching it online, it's going to be delicious.' Peep Show fans commented on the condition of the flat and penned: 'Why has it been left a tip?'; 'This is outrageous!'; 'Bro I'm so sad.'; 'Very different'. Moving into the kitchen, which appeared to feature missing tiles and broken cupboard doors, the caption 'NO TURKEY?!' played over the clip. Peep Show fans commented on the condition of the flat and penned: 'Why has it been left a tip?' Another posted: 'Never been the same since Super Hans kicked the bathroom door off it's hinges.'; 'This is such an iconic flat.' Earlier this year, Croydon Council purchased the blocks of flats, according to Inside Croydon. Another flat in the same Peep Show block was listed for sale back in 2023 for £300,000. The kitchen was a fully renovated space which boasted black marble floors, with entirely new whitewashed units installed. The bathroom was pristine with white and black marble - quite the opposite of the room that had a door broken down by Super Hans. The flat also shows off an impressive view of London from the high-rise balcony, where Battersea power station can be seen in the distance. The property was listed on Rightmove and read: 'The property is an ideal purchase for an individual looking to get onto the property ladder as a first time buyer or a buy to let investor looking to obtain an attractive rental yield. 'The property consists of two double bedrooms, an open-plan reception room with majestic views of London, a fully renovated kitchen with integrated appliances, and a modern family bathroom. 'The owners have been able to refurbish and polish the original parquet flooring, which adds to the character of the property. 'The décor is light and airy and will allow a buyer to use their imagination to put their stamp on it. 'The property spans over an impressive 792 square feet and has two well-proportioned bedrooms with ample space for storage in the master and integrated storage in bedroom two.'
